Set of panels comprising retaining profiles with a separate clip and method for inserting the clip

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a set of panels, preferably of floor panels, consisting of a first panel and at least a second panel with, in each case, a top side and an underside, wherein the first panel comprises at an edge a first retaining profile with a hook directed towards the top side, the second panel comprises at an edge a second retaining profile with a hook directed towards the underside, the first retaining profile and the second retaining profile can be connected by a relative movement directed perpendicular to a plane of laying, and wherein a separate clip is provided, which comprises a clip head, a clip body and a clip base. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for inserting the clip into a retaining profile.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional patent application which claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/966,797 filed Dec. 13, 2010, which claims priority to German Application Serial No. 10 2010 004717.1 filed Jan. 15, 2010, the disclosures of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entireties.

DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a set of panels, preferably of floor panels, consisting of a first panel and at least a second panel with, in each case, a top side and an underside, wherein the first panel comprises at an edge a first retaining profile with a hook directed towards the top side, the second panel comprises at an edge a second retaining profile with a hook directed towards the underside, the first retaining profile and the second retaining profile can be connected by a relative movement directed perpendicular to a plane of laying, and wherein a separate clip is provided, which comprises a clip head, a clip body and a clip base. Moreover, the invention relates to a method for inserting the clip into a retaining profile.

WO2007/008139 discloses such a set of panels with a separate clip, wherein the hooks, in the connected state of the retaining profiles, provide for a positive fit in the direction parallel to the plane of laying, and the clip provides for a positive fit in the direction perpendicular to the plane of laying. During the relative movement of the retaining profiles, that is, when the retaining profiles are joined into one another, the clip head executes a closing rotary movement substantially about an axis of rotation oriented parallel to the edges. Due to this rotary movement, the clip head reaches a locking position in which it fixes or locks the two retaining profiles in the direction perpendicular to the plane of laying. Prior to this rotary movement, the clip, at least with the clip head and the clip body, is lodged in a clip groove. The rotary movement of the clip head is in this case initiated by the clip base being pressed towards the underside when the retaining profiles are joined into one another. The clip thus absorbs deformation energy due to which the clip head is moved out from the clip groove into the locking position.

The rotary movement of the rotary head into the locking position is opposed by friction forces, which are especially large when the clip is lodged in the clip groove with a certain press fit. If the press fit is set too tightly, it may be that the clip head does not snap into its locking position, in spite of the absorbed deformation energy, but that it is stuck in the clip groove. If, however, the fit of the clip in the clip groove is set to be too loose, then there is a risk that the clip falls out of the clip groove inadvertently during transport or laying of the panels.

The invention is therefore based on the object of providing a set of panels which comprise retaining profiles with a separate clip, and which are simple and reliable to handle and lay. Furthermore, the invention is based on the object of being able to insert the separate clip into a retaining profile of a panel in a simple manner.

The objects on which the invention is based are achieved with the subject matters of the claims. Preferred exemplary embodiments are apparent from the dependent claims.

The set of panels according to claim 1 is characterized in that the clip base is firmly connected with the first retaining profile in a laying position of the clip, and that the clip has a deformation region between the clip body and the clip base, wherein the clip head, during the relative movement of the retaining profiles, is pressed by the second retaining profile into a clip evasion groove of the first retaining profile, in the process executing at first an opening rotary movement opposite to the closing or locking rotary movement. In contrast to WO2007/008139, the closing rotary movement of the clip head is thus not initiated by any pressure from the first retaining profile on the clip base. The clip base is firmly connected with the first retaining profile in the laying position of the clip. The laying position of the clip in this case is the position which the clip assumes prior to the retaining profiles being connected with each other by a relative movement perpendicular to the plane of laying. Preferably, the laying position is set already during the manufacturing process at the plant, i.e., before the panels are delivered to the dealers and customers.

Preferably, the clip head and clip body form a rigid unit which is substantially not deformed in comparison with the deformation region during the insertion of the clip. Whereas the clip base is preferably disposed in a lower half of the first panel, the clip head is preferably disposed in a lower half. Thus, the clip body extends between the upper and the lower half and can have a length that corresponds to about a third of the thickness (distance between top side and underside) of the first panel.

The first retaining profile can have a rotation support for the deformation region which defines an axis of rotation for the closing and locking rotary movement of the clip head. It should be noted that, when the retaining profiles are joined into one another, the clip head executes a reciprocating movement which may not correspond exactly to a rotary movement in each case. For example, the movement of the rotary head may also comprise translational components. Preferably, the rotation support has a rounded portion along which the deformation region rolls off, which leads to a rotary movement of the clip head spaced from the deformation region.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the clip base is lodged in a clip base groove open towards the top side. This clip base groove is provided in the first retaining profile. According to the invention, it is in this case provided that the clip base is firmly lodged in the clip base groove.

There are several options for connecting the clip base firmly with the first retaining profile. For example, the clip base can be glued to the first retaining profile. If the clip base is lodged in a clip base groove, a groove side wall of the clip base groove can have an undercut which cooperates with an end of the clip base, preferably with an outer end of the clip base. In this case, the effect of the undercut is that it is not possible, or only possible by exerting a certain force, to move the clip base out from the clip base groove. In the case of a clip base groove open towards the top side, the undercut acts in the direction of the top side. In the case of floor panels, the undercut would thus act in the vertical direction, that is, it would render a withdrawal of the clip base vertically in the direction of the top side difficult or impossible.

The rotation support can be an upper end of an inner groove side wall of the clip base groove. The rotation support can also be disposed at a distance from the inner groove side wall of the clip base groove. The inner groove side wall can also have an undercut, which ensures that the clip base is lodged firmly in the clip base groove. The undercut or the undercuts can be designed such that the clip base snaps into the clip base groove.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the clip evasion groove has a groove clearance space in which the clip head and the clip body are lodged when the clip is in a intermediate insertion position, in which the clip base is not located in the clip base groove, or protrudes from it at least partially. Thus, a distinction must be made between the intermediate insertion position on the one hand and the raying position of the clip on the other hand. Expediently, the panels are delivered and distributed to retailers with the separate clip in the laying position. Thus, the intermediate insertion position of the clip is preferably a position which the clip assumes intermediately during insertion of the separate clip into the first retaining profile. During the manufacture of the panels, the clip can only be in the intermediate insertion position for a very short time.

The rotation support can substantially define an axis of rotation about which the clip can be rotated in order to transfer the clip from the intermediate insertion position into the laying position. Thus, the rotation support on the one hand defines the axis of rotation for the clip head, which arrives in the locking position by an at first opening rotary movement and a subsequent locking rotary movement when the retaining profiles are connected with each other as the panels a laid. On the other hand, the rotation support defines the same axis of rotation about which the clip moves from the intermediate insertion position into the laying position.

Since the clip, in the laying position, is firmly connected with the first retaining profile via the clip base, clamping the clip and thus also the clip head in the clip groove or the clip evasion groove so that it does not fall out of the clip groove inadvertently can be dispensed with. Thus, the retaining profiles and the clip can be designed so that, when the retaining profiles are connected, the clip head reaches its locking position simply and safely and provides for the corresponding lock of the retaining profiles perpendicular to the plane of laying. Preferably, the clip head, in the locking position, is lodged in a locking groove of the second retaining profile.

The inventive method according to claim 1 serves for inserting a separate clip into a first retaining profile of a first panel comprising a top side, an underside and an edge on which the first retaining profile is disposed. In this case, the first retaining profile has a hook directed towards the top side, which serves for establishing a positive-fit connection in the direction parallel to the top side with a hook of a second retaining profile on an edge of the second panel when the retaining profiles are connected with each other. The first retaining profile is designed to be capable of being connected with the second retaining profile by a relative movement between the retaining profiles directed perpendicular to the top side. The clip to be inserted comprises a clip head, a clip body and a clip base, as well as a deformation region between the clip body and the clip base. The first retaining profile comprises a rotation support on which the deformation region rests in a laying position of the clip, with the rotation support defining an axis of rotation about which the clip substantially rotates when the retaining profiles are connected with each other.

The method according to the invention for inserting the clip is characterized in that the clip is at first brought into an intermediate insertion position in which the clip base is not lodged in a clip base groove or protrudes from it at least partially, and that, independent from connecting the first retaining profile with the second retaining profile, the clip is brought, by a rotation about the axis of rotation, from the intermediate insertion position into the laying position in which the clip base is firmly connected with the first retaining profile. Thus, the insertion of the clip into the first retaining profile proceeds in two stages. In the first stage, the clip is brought into the intermediate insertion position. Thence, the clip is moved into the laying position in the second stage.

Preferably, the movement of the clip into the intermediate insertion position is of a translational nature. This means that this movement is mainly linear, even though it may also have small components of a rotational movement.

The translational or substantially translational movement of the clip into the intermediate insertion position can include an angle to the top side of the first panel which amounts to 25° to 50°. A range of between 30° and 40° has proved to be a suitable range of the angle of the translational movement relative to the top side. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the angle is about 35°.

The rotation of the clip from the intermediate insertion position into the laying position is preferably caused by pressure on the clip base. It may be remarked here that the movement of the clip from the intermediate insertion position into the laying position is supposed to correspond substantially to a rotary movement. Thus, the movement of the clip may also comprise translational components.

Pressure on the clip base can be brought about by a roller or other pressure tool. Preferably, the roller or pressure tool is fixed in its position, with the first panel then passing the roller or pressure tool during its manufacture. However, it is also possible that the roller or the pressure tool are configured so as to be moveable.

In a preferred exemplary embodiment, the clip head and the clip body are disposed in a groove clearance space of a clip evasion groove of the first retaining profile in the intermediate insertion position, with the clip head and clip body not arriving in the groove clearance space any more when the clip base is firmly connected with the first retaining profile. Thus, the groove clearance space merely serves for providing the clip head and the clip body with a space during the insertion of the clip into the first retaining profile. If a clip is in its laying position, which it preferably is when the panel is delivered to the dealers after production is completed, the groove clearance space is not required anymore. It may be expedient to design the clip and the first retaining profile in such a way that an intended removal of the clip from the retaining profile is carried out by the clip being pressed from the laying position into the intermediate insertion position, in order to then be drawn from this intermediate insertion position from the first retaining profile in a preferably translational movement.

Fastening means can be provided which retain the clip head and the clip body in the groove clearance space when the clip is in the intermediate insertion position. These fastening means can comprise glue and/or a press fit. The fastening means can comprise individual projections or the like, which preferably do not extend over the entire length of the clip, but are formed at a certain distance in the longitudinal direction relative to the clip. These projections, together with the clip evasion groove, can effect a press fit so that the clip is securely lodged in the intermediate insertion position.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. In the figures:

FIG. 1: shows a first and a second panel comprising retaining profiles;

FIG. 2: shows the panels of FIG. 1 in different positions relative to each other; and

FIG. 3 schematically shows a method for inserting a separate clip into one of the retaining profiles.

FIG. 1 shows a part of the first panel marked with the reference numeral 10. Moreover, FIG. 1 shows a part of a second panel 50. The first panel 10 comprises an edge 11 extending in the plane of the illustration in FIG. 1. The first panel 10 can have a rectangular basic shape, or also a different polygonal shape. In this case, the edge 11 represents an edge of the rectangle or of the polygon. The edge 11 and the edge 51 can be opposite or adjacent edges of only a single panel. Panel 10 and panel 50 are preferably constructionally identical.

The first panel 10 has a top side 13 and an underside 14. A decorative layer 15, which can be constructed of several layers and comprise, for example, a decorative layer and an overlay, is disposed on the top side 13. In turn, the overlay can be constructed of several layers, for example in the form of a middle impregnated cellulose layer and an upper and a lower resin layer enriched with hard particles in order to ensure a certain abrasion and scratch resistance of the top side 13. These hard particles can be, for example, corundum with an average grain size of 1 μm to 150 μm. The upper layer of the overlay can in this case preferably comprise finer corundum with average grain sizes of between 1 μm and 20 μm, whereas the lower layer comprises coarser corundum with a with average grain sizes of between 20 μm and 150 μm.

A compensation layer 16 is disposed on the underside. It serves for absorbing tensions in the first panel which could be caused by the decorative layer 15 on the top side 13 of the first panel 10. A core 29, which can consist of various materials, is provided between the decorative layer 15 and the compensation layer 16. MDF or HDF are preferred materials materials. The core 29 can also consist of plastic or composite materials containing proportions of wood, plastics, glass fiber and/or carbon fibers.

A first retaining profile 12 comprising a hook 17 with a hook offset section 18 is provided on the edge 11. The hook offset section 18 comprises an offset section top side 19 adjoined on an outer end by an offset section end face 21. An offset section locking surface 20 is provided on the inner end of the offset section top side 19. The offset section locking surface 20 is inclined at an angle α relative to the underside 14 (or to the top side 13 parallel to the underside 14). In the exemplary embodiment shown here, the angle α is 70°. However, it can also assume values <70° and also values >70°. In this case, it is possible, in principle, to have the offset section locking surface extend perpendicularly to the underside 14, so that in that case, the angle α would be 90°.

A clip 80 comprising a clip head 81, a clip body 89 and a clip base 92 is connected with the first retaining profile 12. The clip body 89 constitutes a connection between the clip head 81 and the clip base 92, with a deformation region 97 of the clip 80 being provided between the clip body 89 and the clip base 92.

The clip base 92 is firmly lodged in a clip base groove 23 limited by an outer groove side wall 24, an inner groove side wall 25 and a groove bottom 26. The clip base groove 23 is open towards the top side 13. The groove side walls 24, 25 have an undercut which ensures that the clip base 92 cannot be drawn out from the clip base groove 26 in the direction of the top side 13. The undercut of the outer groove side wall 24 can have an angle, relative to the underside 14, of 75° to 85°.

The inner groove side wall 25 merges into a rounded-off rotation support 27. With the deformation region 97, the clip 80 in this case 80 rests against the rotation support 27.

In the position which is referred to as a laying position, the clip is at least partially disposed in a clip evasion groove. The clip evasion groove 30 has a lower groove side wall 31, a groove rear wall 32, as well as an upper groove side wall 33. In this case, the upper groove side wall has different sections. A first section 33 a adjoins the groove rear wall 32 at a substantially right angle. The first section 33 a is followed by a second section 33 b, which has the approximate shape of a quarter circle. This second section 33 b then merges into the third section 33 c, against which the clip head 81 rests with a top side 84 of the head. The third section 33 c substantially extends parallel to the top side 13.

The second panel 50 is substantially identical to the first panel 10 as regards its construction. Thus, it also comprises a top side 53 and an underside 54, with a decorative layer 54 being provided on the top side 53 and a compensation layer 56 being provided on the underside 54. A second retaining profile 52 configured such that, in the connected state, it cooperates with the first retaining profile 12 for locking the panels 10, 50, is provided at an edge 51 of the second panel 50, which connects the top side 53 with the underside 54. The second retaining profile 52 comprises a hook 57 with a hook offset section 58 and a hook groove 59. The hook groove 59 is limited by an inner groove side wall 61 and an outer groove side wall 62. The inner groove side wall 62 may also be referred to as offset section locking surface, which cooperates with the offset section locking surface 30 20 of the first retaining profile when the retaining profiles 12, 52 are connected with each other. Just as the offset section locking surface 20, the inner groove side wall 62 is inclined to the underside 14 (angle of inclination approx. 80°)

A clip head contact surface 64 adjoins on an end of the hook offset section 58 facing away from the hook groove 59. This clip head contact surface comprises several sections 64 a, 64 b. With respect to the function of the sections 64 a, 64 b, reference is made to explanations below.

The clip head contact surface 64 is adjoined by a locking groove 71 with a locking surface 72. The locking surface 72 is slightly inclined to the top side 13. It is thus configured to be substantially parallel to the top side 15. However, the angle of inclination between the locking surface 72 and the top side 13 can be greater than shown in FIG. 1, for example, 45°.

FIG. 1 shows the retaining profiles 12, 52 in a non-connected state. FIG. 2, which consists of the FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 2 c, shows different positions of the panels 10, 50. In FIG. 2 c, the top sides 13, 53 of the panels 10, 50 lie in a common plane. This common plane can also be referred to as the plane of laying E. It can be seen, in synopsis with the FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, that the retaining profiles 12, 50 can be connected by a lowering movement of the second panel 50, with the lowering movement being directed perpendicular to the plane of laying E. If the panels 10, 50 are floor panels, the plane of laying E is horizontal. The retaining profiles can thus be connected with each other by means of a vertical relative movement. This vertical relative movement can also be a tilting movement of the second panel 50. In this case, the second retaining profile 50 is rotated or angled about a tilting axis extending perpendicular to the edge 51 and parallel to the plane of laying E.

During the lowering movement of the second panel 50, the clip head 81 is pressed into the clip evasion groove 30 by the clip head contact surface 64. In the process, the clip head 81 and the clip body 89 connected with the clip head execute a movement which Substantially corresponds to a rotary movement about an axis of rotation A. This axis of rotation A, which extends into the plane of the illustration in FIG. 2, is substantially defined by the rotation support 27. During the movement of the clip head 81 into the clip evasion groove 30, the deformation region 97 between the fixed clip base 92 and the moving clip body 89 is deformed. Thus, the clip 80 absorbs deformation energy; the clip is therefore tensioned. At least the deformation region is made of an elastic material. Preferably, the clip is configured in one piece and can be an extruded part.

When the clip head 81 has reached, with the tip 83 of its head, the point as it is shown in FIG. 2 b, the clip has absorbed its maximum deformation energy. In the case of a continued lowering movement of the second panel 50, the clip head 83 slides past the second section 64 b of the clip head contact surface 64, whereby the tension in the clip 80 decreases slightly and the clip head executes a rotary movement out from the clip evasion groove 30. Ultimately, the clip head 81 snaps into the locking groove 71.

In the connected state of the retaining profiles 12, 52, the clip head 81, with an underside 82 of the head, rests against the locking surface 72 of the locking groove 71. The clip 80 with its clip head 81, in conjunction with the locking surface 72 of the locking groove 71 and the section 33 c of the groove side wall 30, thus ensures a vertical lock of the retaining profiles 12, 52 and thus, a vertical lock of the panels 10, 50. As can be seen from FIG. 2 c, the offset section locking surfaces 20, 62 rest against each other in the connected state of the retaining profiles 12, 52. They ensure a horizontal lock of the retaining profiles 12, 50 or a lock parallel to the top sides 13, 53. In the connected state of the retaining profiles 12, 52, the second retaining profile 52 rests on the offset section top side 19 of the hook 17 with a groove bottom 65 of the hook groove 59. Thus, the top sides 13, 53 can be brought exactly into a single plane. Thus, a small gap can remain between the clip base 92 and the hook offset section 58 of the hook 57 of the second retaining profile 52. Thus, the clip base is touched at no point in time by the second retaining profile while the retaining profiles 12, 52 are joined into one another. The deformation of the clip 80 during the lowering of the second retaining profile 50 is thus initiated exclusively by the clip head 81. Because of the restoring force caused by the deformation, the clip head moves back again.

The retaining profiles 12, 52 can be designed such that, by resting the offset section locking surfaces 20, 62 against them, a certain pressure is generated between the fitting edges 28, 70 of the retaining profiles 12, 52. However, the retaining profiles can also be designed such that a small clearance is provided between the fitting edges 28, 70.

The FIGS. 3 a to 3 b show a method for inserting a clip 80 into the first retaining profile 12. Attention must be paid to the top side 13 of the first panel resting on a reference support R, i.e., that it lies on its head, when the clip 80 is inserted.

The clip 80 is first pushed into the clip evasion groove 30 by means of a translational movement represented by the arrow 100. In this case, the angle of inclination of this translational movement to the top side 13 is about 35°. It may, however, assume other values of between, for example, 20° and 50°. Preferably, it is not necessary to deform the clip during the translational movement into the clip evasion groove.

FIG. 3 b shows the clip 80 in an intermediate insertion position. In this intermediate insertion position, the clip 80, with a rear side 90 of the body, rests against the groove rear wall 32. The clip 80, by being designed accordingly, can be clamped slightly between the lower groove side wall 31 and the first section 33 a of the upper groove side wall 33. In this case, the clip body 89 and also the clip head 81 fill a groove clearance space 37, which the clip head 81 and the clip body 89 do not dip into when the clip 80 is in its laying position (see FIG. 2) with a fixed clip base 92 and the retaining profiles 12, 52 are connected with each other. The proportion of the groove clearance space in the entire clip evasion groove 30 is not inconsiderable. If the clip evasion groove is limited by its groove walls 31, 32 and 33 and an imaginary extension of the fitting edge 28, then the proportion of the clip evasion groove not required by the movement of the clip 30 during the connection of the retaining profiles can be more than 10%, 20% or 25%.

From the intermediate insertion position as shown in FIG. 3 b, the clip 80 is rotated about the axis A defined by the rotation support 27. This rotation out from the clip evasion groove 30 is effected by pressure on the clip base 92. This pressure, which is marked by the arrow P in the FIG. 3 c, ensures that the clip 80 is pressed from the intermediate insertion position into the laying position, in which the clip base 92 is lodged in the clip base groove 23.

Due to the twin-stage method for inserting the clip (first, translational movement until an intermediate insertion position is reached, then a rotation into the final laying position), it is possible to insert the clip into a complex retaining profile. The clip is fastened to the first retaining profile preferably exclusively via the base. 

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for inserting a separate clip into a first retaining profile of a first panel comprising a top side, an underside and an edge on which the first retaining profile is disposed, wherein the first retaining profile has a hook directed towards the top side, which serves for establishing a positive-fit connection in the direction parallel to the top side with a hook of a second retaining profile on an edge of a second panel, when the retaining profiles are connected with each other, wherein the first retaining profile is designed to be capable of being connected with the second retaining profile by a relative movement between the retaining profiles directed perpendicular to the top side, wherein the clip comprises a clip head, a clip body and a clip base, as well as a deformation region between the clip body and the clip base, wherein first retaining profile comprises a rotation support on which the deformation region rests and defines an axis of rotation about which the clip substantially rotates when the retaining profiles are connected with each other, wherein the method comprises: inserting the clip into the first retaining profile such that the clip, during insertion, is first brought into an intermediate insertion position in which the clip base protrudes from a clip base groove; and rotating the clip such that before the first retaining profile is connected with the second retaining profile, the clip is brought, by a rotation about the axis of rotation, from the intermediate insertion position into a laying position in which the clip base is firmly connected with the first retaining profile.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the clip is brought into the intermediate insertion position in the first retaining profile by a substantially translational movement at an angle to the top side of the first panel.
 3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the angle is between 25 to 50 degrees.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the rotation of the clip into the laying position is caused by pressure on the clip base.
 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the pressure on the clip base can be brought about by a roller or the like, which the first panel passes during its manufacture.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the clip head and the clip body are disposed, in the intermediate insertion position, in a groove clearance space of a clip evasion groove of the first retaining profile, with the clip head and clip body no longer being disposed in the groove clearance space any more when the clip base is firmly connected with the first retaining profile.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein fastening means are provided which retain the clip head and the clip body in a groove clearance space when the clip is in the intermediate insertion position. 